United Kingdom
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
United Kingdom shows progressing readiness (95th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 95th
- Global rank
- #10
- Regional rank
- #7
- Viewing data for
Country profile
United Kingdom ranks among the world’s most future-ready systems. Every GEFRI dimension performs well above global norms, with notable strengths in School Access and Gender Parity (88, 93rd percentile), Governance (81, 91st percentile), Innovation (67, 91st percentile), and Human Capital (63, 92nd percentile). This profile reflects sustained investment in innovation, equitable access, and system-wide capability.
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.
A large research workforce accelerates experimentation, technology adoption, and applied innovation. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Ranks in the 95th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
- Places 10th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 7th within Europe & Central Asia.
- Scores range from Access & Parity (88.0) to Human Capital (63.3), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Denmark | 80.65 |
| 5 | 2 | Austria | 75.95 |
| 6 | 3 | Norway | 75.54 |
| 7 | 4 | Finland | 75.51 |
| 8 | 5 | Switzerland | 75.24 |
| 9 | 6 | Germany | 75.12 |
| 10 | 7 | United Kingdom | 74.89 |
| 11 | 8 | Sweden | 74.71 |
| 12 | 9 | France | 74.55 |
| 15 | 10 | Portugal | 72.72 |
| 16 | 11 | Estonia | 72.11 |
| 17 | 12 | Netherlands | 71.64 |
| 18 | 13 | Czechia | 71.11 |
| 19 | 14 | Iceland | 70.99 |
| 20 | 15 | Belgium | 70.89 |
| 21 | 16 | Poland | 70.70 |
| 22 | 17 | Lithuania | 70.65 |
| 23 | 18 | Slovenia | 70.57 |
| 27 | 19 | Spain | 70.17 |
| 28 | 20 | Ireland | 70.12 |
| 29 | 21 | Luxembourg | 69.43 |
| 30 | 22 | Italy | 69.35 |
| 31 | 23 | Greece | 69.25 |
| 35 | 24 | Latvia | 68.04 |
| 36 | 25 | Cyprus | 67.99 |
| — | — | LiechtensteinMicrostate | 67.36 |
| 37 | 26 | Hungary | 65.67 |
| 38 | 27 | Croatia | 65.56 |
| — | — | GibraltarMicrostate | 64.07 |
| — | — | San MarinoMicrostate | 63.76 |
| 42 | 28 | Bulgaria | 62.81 |
| 43 | 29 | Moldova | 62.80 |
| — | — | MonacoMicrostate | 62.60 |
| 44 | 30 | Serbia | 62.22 |
| 46 | 31 | Russian Federation | 61.73 |
| 47 | 32 | Slovak Republic | 61.70 |
| 50 | 33 | Turkiye | 60.91 |
| 51 | 34 | Montenegro | 60.80 |
| 52 | 35 | Kazakhstan | 60.66 |
| 53 | 36 | Armenia | 60.51 |
| — | — | Channel IslandsMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Isle of ManMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Faroe IslandsMicrostate | 60.33 |
| 55 | 37 | Albania | 59.95 |
| — | — | AndorraMicrostate | 59.64 |
| 58 | 38 | Georgia | 58.46 |
| 62 | 39 | Uzbekistan | 57.72 |
| 63 | 40 | Belarus | 57.44 |
| — | — | GreenlandMicrostate | 56.89 |
| 69 | 41 | Kyrgyz Republic | 56.42 |
| 74 | 42 | Romania | 55.12 |
| 77 | 43 | North Macedonia | 54.09 |
| 84 | 44 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 51.59 |
| 85 | 45 | Kosovo | 51.46 |
| 90 | 46 | UkraineFCS | 50.96 |
| 98 | 47 | Azerbaijan | 48.88 |
| 108 | 48 | Turkmenistan | 41.46 |
| 109 | 49 | Tajikistan | 41.41 |